BACK IN 2002, Charles Coleman Finlay introduced us to Maxim Nikomedes in "The Political Officer," a story that one critic described as "John Le Carré in space." Next month, we'll pick up Max's story as he returns from space and deals with consequences—and if you need a hint that all doesn't go well, consider the title of the story: "The Political Prisoner."

For those of you who would rather read about adventures in space, we've got something for you, too: Tim Sullivan's "Planetesimal Dawn" takes us about 88 light years from Earth, to an asteroid in the vicinity of Gamma Crucis.

We've got plenty of other fantasy and science fiction stories lined up (as our title might suggest), including new stories by Jim Aikin, Fred Chappell, Carolyn Ives Gilman, and Robert Reed. Our annual October/November anniversary issue is shaping up nicely, with stories by Stephen King and Steven Utley slated to run in it. Subscribe online at www.fandsf.com or use the business reply card in this issue to make sure that you won't miss any of the stories we've got in store for you.